When I heard Owlcat had taken on a Warhammer game back in June 2022 I put this on my wishlist. I had played Pathfinder series and found the story rich lore they included in the game design enjoyable, not to mention the slow release immersion they are renowned for (remembering 50 hours into a Pathfinder game and I was still unlocking core features)

Life continued and it was not until 2024 I picked this up with all it's DLC's to give it a go. Strictly speaking I was looking to play a binge as I recovering from minor surgery. Keeping the wishlist and remembering my love for Warhammer 40k I decided to play this more than the recently release (and initial buggy Space Marine 2).

One would say I was not surprised nor disappointed. Warhammer fans are renowned to bomb games for getting it wrong - somewhat attuned to Harry Potter legions, but with that quiet murderous ferocity behind them that truly scares even me (evidence pointing towards the Total War: Warhammer franchise that continue to try and milk the teat a third time).

Owlcat got it right and listened (probably much to Henry Cavill's happiness too).

The cool thing about the Warhammer 40k lore is not one faction is in itself true to order or 'good'. It has its dark underbelly exposed or poking through the surface. The more you read these books and the lore you will soon understand the Eternal War has no true victor. Even the might Ultramarine and they heretical dogmatic ways don't flinch when nuking a planet and the 40 Billion inhabitants. Warhammer 40k is devoid of any freedom.

Owlcat has captured the pure lore mechanics behind Warhammer 40k and how dark and twisted each faction is, at times you will skip through text, but I implore you to read (the subtle highlighted text gives you more knowledge). Nobody is 'good' and playing your character no matter how you think it will turn out, it's usually not good. It has countless hours of speech with your characters and doesn't miss a step with its massive consistent tutorial system throughout the entirety of the game. My suggestion is DO NOT play this in easy mode - touch the dial up a few notchs (esp. if you are using online builds).

Rogue Trader is set in the Warhammer 40k universe where you get to quickly and inevitably own a Void Ship, Warrant of Trade and take charge of a sector and uncover planets once within your predecessors' reign lost to the ways of change, your decisions get's to turn that tide through choice driven text. Each decision result in initial, mid and end game changes. So CYOA buffs will like this feature.

You get to build a significant party of rich personality NPCs to equip, and level up through multiple arch pathways with an INSANELY rich talent tree (don't fret there is plenty of online builds you can read up to make it easier - or you just can wing it). If you don't like the build in characters that adorn your crew to take to battle, you can always make an array of merc's for yourself (be warned though it burns an Economy point for each Merc you build - I suggest you stick with the inbuilt npcs as it adds more commentary whilst exploring). Plus yes - you can romance your party members, you sicko!

The combat is average in that Owlcat laid back appeal for a strategist and can feel a little same same, but you come across different enemies and a range of weaponry you can give a go - so the satisfied gore and explosions make it none the less enjoyable.

Like Pathfinder you get to take over the economy of these planets you build into your protectorate. Jumping with your voidship and even having some pretty cool space battles, although basic they add another layer.

I've got another possible 100 hours of gameplay as it is renowned for the 100-150 hour gameplay mark, it has not failed me yet.


Things it missed -
out of combat stealth
chunky strategy boxes
some combat LOS issues
the games road-map was initially slow but it's been balanced - so if you put this down pick it up again
it was released at same time as Baldurs Gate 3 so it basically was a title not everyone gave time to (ie. yours truly)
the inbuilt NPCs are either OPd or ♥♥♥♥♥ - plenty of builds online and unlimited free re-training at your disposals though


For fans of Warhammer 40k - get it, you will love the seedy underbelly of scenes, taking time to look at all the remote corners of maps and smile at some of the perversion you come across.
For fans of Strategy RPG - if you're into the rich story driven lore and want to immersion - give it at least 40 hours before you see the real game - this is not a quick one!
If you're recovering from surgery and want to binge - give it a go :)


8 out of 10 Heresy's to the Emperor

Everything you wanted from an RTS game that represented Aliens you will get here. Immersive and fun.

Control a bunch of marines and level them up through careers whilst you repair the downed Otago on Lethe. A planet which has been infested by Aliens. Track through a narrative and plot to take on not only the Aliens but those who plot to use this Biogenetic weapon on world.

8 out of 10 face huggers